View source for Leicester Tigers

{{Short description|English rugby union club, based in Leicester}}
{{Redirect|Leicester Football Club|the association football club|Leicester City F.C.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox rugby team
  | teamname    = Leicester Tigers
  | image       = Leicester Tigers logo.svg
  | imagesize   = 175px
  | location    = [[Leicester]], England
  | fullname    = Leicester Football Club
  | founded     = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1880|8|3}}
  | nickname    = ''Tigers''
  | ground      = [[Welford Road Stadium|Mattioli Woods Welford Road]]
  | capacity    = 25,849
  | chairman    = [[Peter Tom (businessman)|Peter Tom]]
  | ceo         = Andrea Pinchen
  | rugby director =
  | coach       = [[Geoff Parling]]
  | captain     = 
  | appearances = [[David Matthews (rugby union)|David Matthews]] (502)
  | top scorer  = [[Dusty Hare]] (4,507)
  | most tries  = [[Percy Lawrie (rugby union)|Percy Lawrie]] (206)
  | league      = [[Premiership Rugby]]
  | season      = [[2024–25 Premiership Rugby|2024–25]]
  | position    = 2nd (Play-off finalists)
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  | leftarm1    = 3CB371
  | body1       = 3CB371
  | rightarm1   = 3CB371
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  | socks1      = 004738
<!-- away kit --->
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  | first       = '''28 October 1880'''<br/> 0–0 v [[Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club|Moseley]]
  | bigwin      = '''100–0''' v [[Liverpool St Helens F.C.|Liverpool St Helens]], 11 April 1992
  | bigloss     = '''10–85''' v [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]], 4 June 2000
  | url         = http://www.leicestertigers.com
|caption=The Leicester Tigers logo on 31 July 2006.}}
'''Leicester Tigers''' (officially '''Leicester Football Club''') are a professional [[rugby union]] club based in [[Leicester]], England. They play in the [[Premiership Rugby|Gallagher PREM]], England's top division of rugby.

The club was founded in 1880 and since 1892 plays its home matches at [[Welford Road Stadium|Mattioli Woods Welford Road]] in the south of the city. The club has been known by the nickname '''Tigers''' since at least 1885. In the [[2024–25 Premiership Rugby|2024–25 Premiership Rugby season]], Tigers finished 2nd, losing the Premiership final, this entitled them to compete in the [[2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup]]. The current head coach is [[Geoff Parling]], who joined for the [[2025–26 Premiership Rugby]] season.

Leicester have won 21 major titles. They were European Champions twice, back-to-back in [[2001 Heineken Cup Final|2001]] and [[2002 Heineken Cup Final|2002]]; have won a record 11 [[Premiership Rugby|English Championships]], five [[RFU Knockout Cup]]s and three [[Anglo-Welsh Cup]]s, most recently in [[2016-17 Anglo-Welsh Cup|2017]]. Leicester most recently won the [[Premiership Rugby]] title in the [[2021-22 Premiership Rugby|2022 season]], and appeared in a record nine successive Premiership finals, from 2005 to 2013. Leicester is one of only three teams never to have been relegated from the top division. Leicester have appeared in five European finals, the third most overall; as well as the two victories, they have also lost finals three times, in [[1997 Heineken Cup Final|1997]], [[2007 Heineken Cup Final|2007]] and [[2009 Heineken Cup final|2009]]. In [[2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup|2021]], they played in the [[European Rugby Challenge Cup]] final.

Six Leicester Tigers players were members of the [[2003 Rugby World Cup final]]-winning {{nrut|England}} side, including captain [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]].

==History==
{{Main|History of Leicester Tigers}}

===Foundation and Tom Crumbie era (1880–1928)===
[[File:LeicesterTigers1894.jpg|thumb|left|Leicester Tigers in 1894]]
Leicester Football Club was formed on 3 August 1880 by the merger of three smaller teams: Leicester Athletic Society, Leicester Amateurs and Leicester Alert.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000205/18801001/045/0007|work=Leicester Journal|url-access=limited|date=1 October 1880|title=Leicester Football Club}}</ref>{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=16}} The club's first game was a scoreless draw on 23 October against [[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]] at the [[Belgrave Road Cycle and Cricket Ground]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000033/18801025/013/0005?browse=False| work=Birmingham Daily Post| date=25 October 1880 |title= Football – Birmingham (Moseley) V Leicester | page=5| url-access=limited}}</ref>{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=17}} On 10 September 1892, Leicester played their first game at [[Welford Road Stadium|Welford Road]] against a Leicestershire XV.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=31}}

[[Tom Crumbie]] was appointed secretary on 2 August 1895, a position he held for the next 33 years.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=33}} Crumbie has been credited with dragging the club to national prominence. He disbanded the reserve and third teams, making the First XV an invitation side and introducing players from all over the country.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=38}}{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=86}} Tigers first silverware was the [[Midland Counties Football Union#Midlands Counties Cup|Midlands Counties Cup]] won for the first time in 1898 against [[Moseley Rugby Football Club|Moseley]].{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=41}} Having won the Midlands Counties Cup every year from 1898 to 1905, they dropped out "to give other teams a chance".<ref>The Tigers Tale, Page 19, D.Hands, {{ISBN|0-9514862-5-X}}</ref> On their return to the competition in 1909, Tigers won the cup again.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=61}}

[[File:Racing-Leicester-1923.jpg|thumb|left|Leicester's match against [[Racing 92|Racing club de France]] in February 1923]]
In 1903, [[Jack Miles (rugby union)|Jack Miles]] became the first home-produced [[England national rugby union team|England]] international.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=448}} Leicester's status as a premier club was confirmed in 1905 when a crowd of 20,000 was on hand to see the club face [[The Original All Blacks]], losing 28–0.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=43}} December 1909 saw Tigers play the [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]] for the first time, holding them to a 9–9 draw. The fixture became a vital feature in the club's calendar, delivering large attendances until open professionalism and league rugby in the 1990s forced it to gradually be abandoned due to fixture congestion. Tigers won the Midlands Counties Cup three more times in four years to cement their place as the midland's premier side before the outbreak of [[First World War|war]] in 1914. The visit of the [[1924-25 New Zealand rugby union tour of Britain, Ireland and France|Invincible All Blacks]] on 4 October 1924 saw a record attendance at Welford Road of 35,000 that stands to this day.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=83}} Tigers were beaten 27–0 by the tourists.

===Lions captains, decline and club restructure (1928–1971)===
Club captain [[Doug Prentice]] captained the [[1930 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia]].{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=95}} The first [[BBC]] radio broadcast of a Tigers game was against [[Waterloo FC|Waterloo]] on 29 November 1930; Tigers won 21–5.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=95}} [[Bernard Gadney]] became the club's first home-produced England captain in 1934 and was captain when four Leicester players were part of the first [[England national rugby union team|England]] side to beat the [[1935-36 New Zealand rugby union tour of Britain, Ireland and Canada|All Blacks]]. Gadney also became the club's second player to captain the [[British & Irish Lions|British Lions]] on their [[1936 British Lions tour to Argentina|tour to Argentina]]. 1936–37 was the worst season since 1889–90 for the club with only 14 wins from 39 matches.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=108}}

Tigers first televised game by the [[BBC]] was on 3 February 1951 when they beat [[London Scottish F.C.|London Scottish]] 14–0 at the [[Athletic Ground, Richmond|Richmond Athletic Ground]].{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=121}}
The club underwent a significant restructure in the 1956–57 season. The practice of being an "invitation" club featuring only a First XV stopped and Tigers adopted a more traditional membership club based approach with multiple sides. The "A XV" was to be re-introduced under the name "Extra First XV" with a third "Colts XV" also formed.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=134}} The 1963–64 season saw [[David Matthews (rugby union)|David Matthews]] set the record for most consecutive appearances for the club with 109.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=444}} [[David Matthews (rugby union)|Matthews]] was to become captain in 1965 and in 1966/67 lead the club to a record 33 wins.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=161}} [[Chalkie White (rugby player)|Chalkie White]] became coach in 1968; the same season [[Tom Berry (rugby union)|Tom Berry]] became Leicester's first President of the [[Rugby Football Union|RFU]]. White was credited with revolutionising Leicester's players in response to rule changes that opened up the game. 1970/71 saw [[Peter Wheeler (rugby union)|Peter Wheeler]] emerge as first-choice hooker having made his debut the year before, he ended the season on [[1971 England rugby union tour of the Far East|England's tour to the Far East]]. Attendance for the annual [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]] game hit a nadir with a crowd of only 2,518.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=176}}

===Introduction of competitions (1971–1978)===
The 1971/72 season saw changes that would radically change both the club and the game. The [[Rugby Football Union|RFU]] introduced a national [[1971-72 John Player Cup|Knockout Cup]] competition for clubs and on 16 November 1971 Tigers played their first competitive cup match since 1914, a 10–3 defeat to [[Nottingham R.F.C.|Nottingham]] at their Beeston ground. Also introduced that season was Tigers' first "Youth" XV, based on a collection of the best 14- and 15-year-olds in the county. Only six years later, [[Paul Dodge]] became the first graduate to win an international cap.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=173}}

Tigers were not involved in the 1974–75 Cup and lost in the 1st round of the [[1975–76 John Player Cup|1975–76 Cup]]. This forced the club into the Midlands qualifiers for the only time. This era saw a huge increase in the popularity of the [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]] annual fixture with crowds of 15,000 in 1973 & 1975, 17,000 in 1974 and 21,000 in 1976. This contrasted with usual crowds in the low hundreds. {{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=189}} 1976–77 saw the introduction of regional "Merit Tables" by the RFU, the first step on the road to full leagues. Based around traditional fixtures, Tigers finished second to Moseley in the Midlands Merit Table with a record of played 8 won 6.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=189}} It took six years before Leicester were drawn at home in the cup but in [[1977–78 John Player Cup|1977–78]] they received four in a row on their way to a first [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] final against [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]]. The game ended in a 6–3 loss to the Cherry and Whites; the attendance was 25,282 – more than double the previous season. Cup success also coincided with Tigers' membership more than doubling from 750 in 1978 to 2,000 by the end of 1979.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=190}}

===Centenary and cup and league success (1979–1988)===
Leicester secured their first national trophy, the [[1978–79 John Player Cup]], by defeating Moseley 15–12. Tigers retained the cup in [[1979–80 John Player Cup|1979–80]] beating [[London Irish]] 21–9 at Twickenham in front of a record crowd of 27,000.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=199}} 1979–80 also saw Tigers win the Midlands Merit Table for the first time. To celebrate the club's centenary a six-match tour to [[Australia]] and [[Fiji]] was arranged in August 1980, the first undertaken by an English club in the southern hemisphere.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} Prestige fixtures staged at Welford Road to mark the centenary were the visit of the [[Ireland Wolfhounds|Irish Wolfhounds]], [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]], and [[Queensland Reds|Queensland]]. Tigers retained the Midlands Merit Table title in November with an undefeated record. On 25 April 1981, Tigers' [[Dusty Hare]] broke the world record for points scored in first-class fixtures with 3,658 points.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=201}} Leicester retained the cup in [[1980–81 John Player Cup|1980–81]] by beating [[Newcastle Falcons|Gosforth]] 22–15.

Leicester was knocked out in the semi-finals of the [[1981–82 John Player Cup|1982 Cup]]. This was also [[Chalkie White (rugby player)|Chalkie White]]'s last season with the club after 30 years as a player, administrator or coach. A new generation of players debuted in the early '80s: [[Dean Richards (rugby union)|Dean Richards]], [[John Wells (rugby union)|John Wells]], and [[Rory Underwood]]. In 1985,, in the penultimate step towards league rugby, the Merit Table A was launched for two seasons where Tigers finished fourth and second. League rugby was launched in England with the [[1987–88 Courage League]] and all sides now played all other sides in a round-robin. Tigers lost only one match all season and the end of the [[1987–88 Courage League|1987–88 season]] Tigers became England's first official champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/history/|publisher=Premiership Rugby|title=Premiership Rugby - History|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref>

Tigers finished the [[1988–89 Courage League]] in sixth place, their joint-worst ever finish.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=226}} During the late 1980s and early 1990s, several key members of the Leicester pack came through the youth ranks and became key first-team contributors, most notably lock [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] who debuted in 1989 and later became club captain; flanker [[Neil Back]] who joined in 1990; and the front row trio of [[Graham Rowntree]], [[Richard Cockerill]], and [[Darren Garforth]], who started 166 games together between 1992 and 2002.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=492}}

===Professional and European success (1993–2003)===
From 1993 to 2002, Leicester enjoyed a remarkable nine trophies in ten years. This streak started when Leicester won the [[1992–93 Pilkington Cup|1993 Pilkington Cup]].{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=241}} In 1993/94 Tigers finished runners up in the [[1993–94 English Premiership (rugby union)|Courage League]] to Bath. Leicester finished as [[1994–95 English Premiership (rugby union)|Courage League champion in 1994–95]].{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|pp=246–249}}

The advent of the 1995–96 season brought two important changes: rugby union (and consequently the Tigers) became professional, and European club competition began in the form of the [[Heineken cup]]. The 1995/96 season was another of just missing out to perennial rivals Bath, who secured a league and cup double after defeating Leicester in the [[1995–96 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup final]]. In Leicester's debut season in the [[Heineken Cup]], the team reached [[1997 Heineken Cup Final|the final]], losing 28–9 against [[CA Brive|Brive]]. Leicester won the [[1996–97 Pilkington Cup|1997 Pilkington Cup Final]] 9–3 against [[Sale Sharks|Sale]]. That summer [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] was named as captain for the [[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa]]. In February 1998, [[Dean Richards (rugby union)|Dean Richards]] was appointed as Director of Rugby following [[Bob Dwyer]]'s sacking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12308959.Leicester_sack_Dwyer_as_Richards_takes_over/|title=Leicester sack Dwyer as Richards takes over|publisher=The Herald, Scotland|date=18 February 1998|access-date=24 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-deano-moves-in-as-tigers-sack-dwyer-1145544.html|title=Rugby Union: Deano moves in as Tigers sack Dwyer|work=The Independent|date=18 February 1998|access-date=24 March 2017}}</ref>

[[File: Geordan Murphy.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Geordan Murphy, pictured in 2012, played 322 games for Leicester between 1997 and 2013. He is the most decorated player in the club's history with 8 [[English Premiership (rugby union)|Premiership]] titles, 2 [[Heineken Cup|European titles]] and 2 Anglo-Welsh cups.]]

Under Richards, Leicester entered a golden age, winning four consecutive [[Premiership Rugby]] titles in [[1998-99 English Premiership (rugby union)|1999]], [[1999–2000 English Premiership (rugby union)|2000]], [[2000–01 English Premiership (rugby union)|2001]] and [[2001–02 English Premiership (rugby union)|2002]], as well as back to back [[Heineken Cup]]s in 2001 and 2002. During the [[1998–99 English Premiership (rugby union)|1998–99 Premiership]], the Tigers title was sealed in the penultimate match of the season.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=262}} In the [[1999–2000 English Premiership (rugby union)|1999–2000 Premiership season]] Leicester retained their title. Tigers' third successive [[English Premiership (rugby union)|Premiership title]] was sealed early on 17 March 2001.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=268}} In [[2001 Heineken Cup Final|the 2001 Heineken Cup final]] Tigers beat [[Stade Français]] 34–30 to secure the club's first continental title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/3005773/Leicester-rule-in-bear-pit.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/3005773/Leicester-rule-in-bear-pit.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Leicester rule in bear pit|date=19 May 2001|access-date=3 February 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Tigers had won the inaugural Premiership playoffs the week before so also sealed an unprecedented treble.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2000/heineken_cup/1339721.stm|title=European glory seals Leicester treble|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=19 May 2001 |access-date=7 September 2014}}</ref> That summer, [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] was named captain for the [[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia]], becoming the first man to lead two tours.

Leicester became the first side to retain a European title after beating [[Munster Rugby|Munster]] 15–9 in the [[2002 Heineken Cup Final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/european/2008245.stm|title=Tigers retain European Cup|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=25 May 2002 |access-date=7 September 2014}}</ref> Leicester also retained their fourth successive Premiership title in 2002. This brought the club's total to six championships, tying Bath's record. During this time, Leicester went 57 games unbeaten at home from 30 December 1997 to 30 November 2002 and earned 52 successive wins.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=478}} During these four seasons, Leicester lost only 14 games out of the 92 they played.

During the 2003–04 season, Leicester's form suffered and with eight games left in the season [[Dean Richards (rugby player)|Dean Richards]] was sacked.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/3452961.stm|title=Richards leaves Leicester|publisher=BBC|date=2 February 2004|access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> After Richards' departure Tigers turned to his assistant coach [[John Wells (rugby union)|John Wells]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/3666231.stm|title=Leicester turn to Wells|publisher=BBC|date=28 April 2004|access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref> who guided Leicester to the regular season top of the league in his only full season. In [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] and [[Neil Back]]'s last game for Leicester they lost the Premiership Final to [[Wasps RFC|London Wasps]].

===Premiership success (2004–2013)===
[[Pat Howard]] succeeded Wells as the Head Coach.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/6532.php#.V8WzwqJ2Xww|title=Pat: 'Every Club Goes Through Change'|publisher=Leicester Tigers|date=15 March 2005|access-date=30 August 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818105521/http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/6532.php#.V8WzwqJ2Xww|archive-date=18 August 2016}}</ref> Howard coached the club for two seasons, losing a Premiership final to [[Sale Sharks|Sale]] in his first season. Over the summer of 2006, the core of a new pack was recruited, and in Howard's second season Leicester won their first piece of silverware for five years, winning the [[Anglo-Welsh Cup]], and sealed the club's first domestic league and cup double after winning the [[2006–07 English Premiership (rugby union)#Final|Premiership final]] 44–16 against [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]]. However, Leicester lost the [[Heineken Cup]] final to [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]]. Howard left the club at the end of the season.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/articles/2006/12/28/pat_howard_leaving_feature.shtml Howard returns home] – BBC News, 28 December 2006</ref>

Howard was succeeded for one season by [[Marcelo Loffreda]], the coach of {{nrut|Argentina}}, who started after the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/leicester/6576815.stm Loffreda named as new Tigers boss] – BBC News, 25 April 2007</ref> Loffreda had a torrid time in charge despite getting to two finals. After losing the [[2007–08 EDF Energy Cup|Anglo Welsh Cup final]] to the [[Ospreys (rugby union)|Ospreys]], Leicester became the first side to win an away game in the Premiership playoffs by beating [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]] in the semi-finals, but lost to Wasps in the final. After this final, Loffreda was sacked.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jun/07/premiership.leicestertigers|title=Leicester sack Loffreda and plan future with a director of coaching|work=The Guardian|date=7 June 2008|access-date=29 August 2016}}</ref>

[[File: Tom Croft 2012.jpg|thumb|200px|Tom Croft made his debut in 2006 after coming through the club's academy, he played 173 games before retiring in 2017]]
[[Heyneke Meyer]] was the board's choice to replace Loffreda, but family circumstances led to his resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/4374335/Heyneke-Meyer-stands-down-as-Leicester-Tigers-coach.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/4374335/Heyneke-Meyer-stands-down-as-Leicester-Tigers-coach.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Heyneke Meyer stands down as Leicester Tigers coach|date=28 January 2009|publisher=The Telegraph|access-date=31 July 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Richard Cockerill took over, the appointment was confirmed as permanent on 17 April 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/13338.php|title=Leicester Tigers confirm Richard Cockerill appointment|last=Sherrard|first=Gary|date=17 April 2009|publisher=Leicester Tigers|access-date=17 April 2009}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Cockerill lead Leicester to two Premiership titles in as many years. In the [[2008-09 English Premiership (rugby union)|2009 Premiership final]] Leicester beat London Irish 10–9,<ref name="2009 Prem Final">{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/8048413.stm|title=Leicester 10-9 London Irish|publisher=BBC|date=16 May 2009|access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref> and Tigers retained their title the following year as they defeated [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] 33–27.<ref name="2010 Prem Final">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/31/leicester-saracens-premiership-final-report|title=Leicester see off Saracens and breed next generation with winning DNA|work=The Guardian|date=31 May 2010|access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref> After an historic placing kicking competition decided the [[Cardiff Blues vs Leicester Tigers (2008–09 Heineken Cup)|2009 Heineken Cup semi-final]], Leicester lost the [[2009 Heineken Cup final]] to Irish province [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]].
On Friday 6 November 2009, Leicester hosted the world champion [[South Africa national rugby union team|Springboks]] of South Africa and the young Leicester side triumphed 22–17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8347892.stm|title=Leicester 22-17 South Africa|date=6 November 2009|publisher=BBC|access-date=6 November 2009}}</ref>

Domestic success continued with Tigers reaching Premiership finals but losing in 2011 and 2012, against Saracens and Harlequins respectively, and winning the [[2011–12 LV Cup|2012 LV Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/308965/Tigers-beat-Saints-to-win-LV-Cup|title=Tigers beat Saints to win LV=Cup|publisher=Daily Express|date=18 March 2012|access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/17355002|title=LV= Cup: Leicester Tigers 26-14 Northampton Saints|publisher=BBC|date=18 March 2012|access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref> In 2013, Tigers won their record extending 10th English title, defeating local rivals [[Northampton Saints]] 37–17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/22656677|title=Aviva Premiership final: Leicester 37-17 Northampton|publisher=BBC|date=25 May 2013|access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref>

===Championship drought (2013–2020)===
The next year, Northampton beat Tigers 21–20 in the Premiership semi final at Franklin's Gardens.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10837539/Northampton-Saints-21-Leicester-Tigers-20-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10837539/Northampton-Saints-21-Leicester-Tigers-20-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Northampton Saints 21 Leicester Tigers 20: match report|publisher=The Telegraph|date=16 May 2014|access-date=21 September 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The next two years, Tigers suffered heavy away defeats in the semi-finals to Bath (47–10)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/32799193|title=Premiership: Bath 47-10 Leicester Tigers|publisher=BBC|date=23 May 2015|access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref> and Saracens (44–17).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36317401|title=Premiership semi-final: Saracens 44-17 Leicester Tigers|publisher=BBC|date=21 May 2016|access-date=21 September 2016}}</ref>

On Monday 2 January 2017, Leicester sacked Richard Cockerill as Director of Rugby.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38445575|title=Premiership: Leicester Tigers 12-16 Saracens|date=1 January 2017|newspaper=BBC Sport|language=en-GB|access-date=2 January 2017}}</ref> [[Aaron Mauger]] was placed in temporary charge of the team,<ref>{{cite press release|title=Richard Cockerill to leave Leicester Tigers|date=2 January 2017|publisher=Leicester Tigers|url=http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/25986.php#.WGpB8310G6B}}</ref> winning the [[2016-17 Anglo-Welsh Cup|2017 Anglo-Welsh Cup]], until [[Matt O'Connor (rugby union)|Matt O'Connor]] was announced as the new head coach.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/26426.php|title=Club statement on appointment of new head coach|publisher=Leicester Tigers|date=20 March 2017}}</ref> Under O'Connor, Tigers secured their 13th consecutive playoff appearance where they lost narrowly to Wasps 21–20.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/05/06/worcester-23-leicester-28-freddie-burns-boots-23-points-tigers/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/05/06/worcester-23-leicester-28-freddie-burns-boots-23-points-tigers/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Worcester 23 Leicester 28: Freddie Burns boots 23 points as Tigers secure Premiership play-off spot |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=6 May 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39938621|publisher=BBC|title=Premiership semi-final: Wasps 21-20 Leicester Tigers|date=20 May 2017}}</ref> In the 2017–18 season successive home defeats to [[Northampton Saints|Northampton]] and [[Newcastle Falcons|Newcastle]] in Leicester's final two home games saw Tigers miss the playoffs for the first time since 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/04/27/leicester-tigers-vs-newcastle-falcons-aviva-premiership-live1/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/04/27/leicester-tigers-vs-newcastle-falcons-aviva-premiership-live1/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Newcastle Falcons break 20-year Welford Road drought to leave Leicester Tigers' play-off hopes in ruins|date=27 April 2018|access-date=29 April 2018|publisher=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After a 40–6 defeat in the opening game of the [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby]] season<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45333599|title=Premiership: Exeter Chiefs thrash Leicester Tigers 40-6 in season opener|publisher=BBC|date=1 September 2018|access-date=3 September 2018}}</ref> O'Connor was sacked by the club with immediate effect.<ref name="MOC sacked">{{cite press release|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/leicester-tigers-club-statement-on-head-coach|publisher=Leicester Tigers|date=3 September 2018|access-date=3 September 2018|title=Leicester Tigers club statement on head coach}}</ref> [[Geordan Murphy]] was placed in charge of the side on an interim basis.<ref name="MOC sacked"/> Murphy was then made the permanent head coach on 18 December 2018 despite the team being on an eight match losing run.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/dec/18/geordan-murphy-appointed-leicester-head-coach-rugby-union|work=The Guardian|date=18 December 2018|access-date=19 May 2019|title=Geordan Murphy appointed Leicester coach despite dismal run}}</ref> Results did not improve and a final day defeat against Bath saw Leicester finish 11th in the [[2018-19 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]], their worst ever finish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48270347|title=Premiership: Bath snatch 32-31 win at Leicester to finish sixth|date=18 May 2019|access-date=19 May 2019|publisher=BBC}}</ref>

After a delayed start to the season due to the [[2019 Rugby World Cup]], Tigers fortunes did not improve and, on 21 January 2020, it was announced after months of speculation that England's forwards coach [[Steve Borthwick]] would join the club as head coach once his duties with England were finished.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51188455|work=BBC Sport|date=21 January 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|title=Steve Borthwick to join Leicester Tigers as head coach after England duties end}}</ref> His start was later confirmed as July 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/steve-borthwick-to-join-leicester-tigers-in-july/26057.htm|work=Talking Rugby Union|date=13 April 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|title=Steve Borthwick to join Leicester Tigers in July}}</ref>

On 16 March 2020, the [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby]] season was suspended for five weeks due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gallagher-premiership-season-suspended-five-3956789|publisher=Reach|work=Leicester Mercury|date=16 March 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|title=Gallagher Premiership season is suspended for five weeks due to coronavirus pandemic}}</ref> with group training suspended indefinitely on 23 March.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2020/03/23/leicester-tigers-suspend-squad-training-indefinitely-due-coronavirus/#:~:text=Leicester%20Tigers%20head%20coach%20Geordan,April%2024%20as%20things%20stand. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331164739/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2020/03/23/leicester-tigers-suspend-squad-training-indefinitely-due-coronavirus/ |archive-date=31 March 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=Daily Telegraph|date=23 March 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|title=Leicester Tigers suspend squad training indefinitely due to coronavirus}}</ref> After the cancellation of games the club implemented 25% wage cuts on all staff, including players,<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/statement-from-leicester-tigers|publisher=Leicester Tigers|date=20 March 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|title=Statement from Leicester Tigers}}</ref> on 22 April 2020 it was reported that Tigers players were unhappy with this and had engaged a solicitor to represent them, though this was quickly denied,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/we-never-engaged-a-lawyer-no-lawyer-was-in-any-zoom-call/|work=RugbyPass|date=25 April 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|title=We never engaged a lawyer... no lawyer was in any Zoom call}}</ref> on 11 May 2020 CEO Simon Cohen left the club after an 8-year tenure and was replaced by Andrea Pinchen.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/52626387|title=Leicester Tigers: Andrea Pinchen replaces Simon Cohen as chief executive|date=11 May 2020|access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref> On 4 June 2020, it was revealed that Tigers were set to lose up to £5m of revenue during the coronavirus enforced shutdown,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/leicester-tigers-cut-jobs-after-4192518|publisher=Reach|work=Leicester Mercury|title=Leicester Tigers may cut jobs after revealing coronavirus has cost club millions of pounds}}</ref> eventually making 31 employees redundant.<ref name="Tuilagi contract">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53256761|title=Leicester Tigers: Manu Tuilagi & Kyle Eastmond leave Premiership club|date=1 July 2020|access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref> On 29 June, it was reported that the pay dispute, which started in April, could result in several players leaving the club after refusing to cut their pay,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53221780|title=Leicester Tigers: Several first-team players in contract dispute|date=29 June 2020|access-date=10 August 2020|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> with five players, including [[Manu Tuilagi]] and [[Telusa Veainu]], leaving later that week after refusing to amend their contracts in light of the global pandemic.<ref name="Tuilagi contract"/>

The completion of the delayed [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby]] season between August and October saw another 11th-place finish for Leicester, saved from relegation only by a points deduction from [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] for breaching the salary cap. On 13 November 2020, just eight days before the start of the [[2020–21 Premiership Rugby]] season [[Geordan Murphy]] left as director of rugby in a decision described as "mutual".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54933977|work=BBC |date=13 November 2020| access-date=18 June 2021| title=Geordan Murphy: Leicester Tigers director of rugby leaves role}}</ref>

===Borthwick in charge (2020–2022)===
With new head coach Steve Borthwick now in charge of team selection, Leicester got off to a winning start against [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55009401|work=BBC|date=21 November 2020| access-date=18 June 2021|title=Premiership: Leicester Tigers 38-15 Gloucester - winning start for hosts under Steve Borthwick}}</ref> In his first season at the club Borthwick guided Leicester to the [[2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup]] final and 6th place in [[2020–21 Premiership Rugby|the league]], securing [[European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]] rugby for the first time in two years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57207743|work=BBC|date=22 May 2021| access-date=18 June 2021|title=Steve Borthwick: Leicester Tigers potential excites head coach}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/match-reports/wasps-leicester-tigers-match-report-5522337|work=Leicester Mercury|title=Leicester Tigers edge Wasps in nine-try thriller as both secure Heineken Champions Cup rugby|date=12 June 2021| access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref>

Tigers started the following season strongly, five wins in the opening five rounds was the club's best start in the Premiership era,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2021/10/16/leicester-tigers-demolish-worcester-secure-best-ever-start-premiership/|work=Daily Telegraph|date=16 October 2021| access-date=16 October 2021|author=Charlie Morgan|title=Leicester Tigers demolish Worcester to secure best ever start to Premiership campaign|url-access=registration}}</ref> the club remained unbeaten for 15 games in all competitions, the second best start to a season ever,<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/08/oh-crikey-its-leicester-tigers-out-to-match-their-own-winning-streak? |work=The Guardian|author=Gerard Meager| title=Oh crikey, it's Leicester: Tigers out to match their own winning streak|date=8 January 2022|access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref> but failed to tie the record after losing to Wasps on 9 January 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/09/wasps-leicester-premiership-rugby-union-match-report|title=Leicester's winning run comes to a surprise end against weakened Wasps|work=The Guardian| date=9 January 2022| access-date= 16 January 2022|author=Robert Kitson}}</ref> A week later, Leicester overcame an 18-point deficit in the second half to beat [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]], a [[Hosea Saumaki]] try sealing the win on the final play of the game, and secure progress to their first [[European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]] knock out stages since 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59993334|work=BBC Sport|title=Heineken Champions Cup: Leicester Tigers earn dramatic last-gasp 29-28 win over Connacht|date=15 January 2022|access-date=21 June 2022}}</ref>

In Europe, Leicester progressed past [[ASM Clermont Auvergne|Clermont Auvergne]] over two legs, despite getting red cards in both matches,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/apr/10/clermont-leicester-european-champions-cup-rugby-union-match-report|work=The Guardian|date=10 April 2022|access-date=21 June 2021|title=Ellis Genge leads 14-man Leicester to famous first-leg victory at Clermont|first1=Daniel|last1=Gallan}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/match-reports/leicester-tigers-book-leinster-heineken-696297|date=16 April 2022|access-date=21 June 2022|first1=Bobby|last1=Bridge|title=Leicester Tigers book Leinster Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final as Ollie Chessum sees red against Clermont Auvergne|work=Leicester Mercury}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> but lost at home to [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]] 23–14, after falling behind 20–0 in the first half to the Irish side.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/match-reports/leicester-tigers-v-leinster-live-7045154|work=Leicester Mercury|date=8 May 2022|access-date=21 June 2022|title=Leicester Tigers 14-23 Leinster Rugby: Heineken Champions Cup exit for Steve Borthwick's side|first1=Bobby|last1=Bridge|first2=Ethan|last2=Clamp}}</ref>

Domestically, they secured a first home play-off semi final since 2013, with two games to spare, after a 56–26 win against [[Bristol Bears]].<ref name="Bristol">{{cite news|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/leicester-tigers-match-report-rugby-7022744|date=30 April 2022|access-date=21 June 2022|work=Leicester Mercury|title=Recordbreaker Chris Ashton scores hat-trick as Leicester Tigers batter Bristol Bears to secure home Premiership semi-final|first1=Ethan|last1=Clamp|first2=Bobby|last2=Bridge}}</ref> Tigers' winger [[Chris Ashton]] broke the [[Premiership Rugby]] all-time try scoring record in this match, his hat-trick taking him to 95 career league tries.<ref name="Bristol"/> In the semi-final, they faced local rivals [[Northampton Saints]], but much of the build up was focused on recently retired former captain [[Tom Youngs]] whose wife, Tiffany, died from cancer in the week preceding the match. His brother [[Ben Youngs]] started the match, and it was his half back partner [[George Ford (rugby union)|George Ford]] who inspired the victory scoring a "full house" with a try, conversion, penalty & drop goal for 22 points in a 27–13 win.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/2022-06-12/ford-inspires-leicester-tigers-to-beat-northampton-saints-to-secure-final-spot|work=ITV Central Sport|date=12 June 2022|access-date=21 June 2022|title=George Ford inspires Leicester Tigers to beat Northampton Saints to secure Twickenham final place}}</ref>

In the final, Leicester faced [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]], a re-match of the 2010 & 2011 finals. Ford wasn't to last long in the final withdrawing injured in the 23rd minute & being replaced by [[Freddie Burns]]. With the matching tied 12–12 it was Burns who scored the 80th-minute drop goal to win Leicester their 11th English title, only two seasons after finishing in 11th place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/leicester-tigers-crowned-gallagher-premiership-7223736|title=Leicester Tigers crowned Gallagher Premiership champions as Freddie Burns lands late drop goal|date=18 June 2022|access-date=21 June 2022|first1=Bobby|last1=Bridge|work=Leicester Mercury}}</ref>

Speculation began that Borthwick was in line to succeed [[Eddie Jones (rugby union)|Eddie Jones]] as England head coach after the [[2023 Rugby World Cup]], but after a poor [[2022 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2022 Autumn internationals]], Jones was replaced by Borthwick on 19 December 2022. He was initially replaced as Leicester head coach in an interim capacity by [[Richard Wigglesworth (rugby union)|Richard Wigglesworth]], the club's starting scrum half in the 2022 Premiership final and previous attack coach. On 22 February 2023, it was announced that [[Dan McKellar]] would take the role on a full time basis from 1 July 2023, previously having been {{nrut|Australia}}'s forwards coach.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/22/leicester-tigers-hire-dan-mckellar-rugby-eddie-jones-wallabies-assistant--new-head-coach|work=The Guardian|date=22 February 2023|access-date=24 February 2023|title=Dan McKellar quits Wallabies role to become Leicester head coach}}</ref>

===Coaching instability (2023–)===
After a single season, the third worst in the club's league history, McKellar was dismissed on 22 June 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2024/06/22/leicester-tigers-sack-dan-mckellar-hire-michael-cheika/|work=Daily Telegraph|first1=Charlie|last1=Morgan|date=22 June 2024|access-date=22 June 2024|title=Leicester Tigers sack Dan McKellar with Michael Cheika in running to replace him|url-access=subscription}}</ref> On 27 June 2024, Tigers appointed fellow Australian [[Michael Cheika]] as the new head coach on an initial one-year deal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c10l5pr5ry8o|work=BBC Sport|date=27 June 2024|access-date=27 June 2024|title=Cheika appointed Leicester head coach}}</ref> In February 2025, it was announced that Cheika himself would be stepping down following the conclusion of his contract at the end of the [[2024–25 Premiership Rugby|2024–25 season]]. Former Leicester prop and ex-Munster head coach Graham Rowntree was the rumoured frontrunner to replace him for the following season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aiola |first1=Andrew |title=Head coach Cheika to leave Tigers at end of season |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c5ye01knwnqo |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 February 2025}}</ref> Leicester were reported to have agreed terms with [[Paul Gustard]] and to have made an offer to [[Leon MacDonald]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2025/05/13/inside-saga-that-finally-led-leicester-tigers-geoff-parling/|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Inside the saga that finally led Leicester Tigers to Geoff Parling|date=13 May 2025|access-date=13 May 2025|first1=Daniel|last1=Schofield|first2=Charles|last2=Richardson|url-access=subscription}}</ref> before on 12 May 2025, it was confirmed that former England and Lions second-row [[Geoff Parling]] would succeed Cheika as the new Head Coach of Leicester Tigers on a long-term deal from the 2025–26 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/geoff-parling-named-as-new-leicester-tigers-head-coach-20vhrhg8q |publisher=The Times|title=Geoff Parling named as new Leicester Tigers head coach|date=12 May 2025|access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref>

Leicester finished the regular season in 2nd, beating Newcastle on the final day to secure a home play off semi-final.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c87jrq8ee2ro|title=Tigers finish second after dispatching Newcastle|date=31 May 2025|access-date=8 June 2025|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> They beat Sale 21-16, taking a half-time lead through two tries from [[Adam Radwan]], before Sale drew level through former-Tiger George Ford, [[Izaia Perese]] scored the winning try with his first touch breaking from 40 meters out.<ref name="2025 SF 1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/07/leicester-sale-premiership-rugby-union-semi-final-match-report|work=The Guardian|first1=Michael|last1=Aylwin|location=Leicester|date=7 June 2025|access-date=8 June 2025|title=Inspired Perese try edges Leicester past Sale and into Premiership final}}</ref><ref name="2025 SF 2">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cq851p4n4k2o|work=BBS Sport|date=7 June 2025|access-date=8 June 2025|title=Leicester hold off Sale to reach Premiership final|first1=Chris|last1=Harby}}</ref> Tigers lost the final 23–21 against [[Bath Rugby|Bath]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cq69edr9r71o|work=BBC Sport|title=Bath end 29-year wait for Premiership title|date=14 June 2025|access-date=16 June 2025|first1=Sophie|last1=Hurcombe}}</ref> with coach Cheika highlighting what he felt was poor refereeing in several areas of the match.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/30778/13383756/leicester-tigers-boss-michael-cheika-premiership-final-referee-gave-us-nothing-dan-cole-sin-bin-embarrassing-for-rugby|work=Sky Sports|date=14 June 2025|access-date=16 June 2025|title=Leicester Tigers boss Michael Cheika: Premiership final referee gave us nothing - 'Dan Cole sin-bin embarrassing for rugby'|first1=Michael|last1=Cantillon}}</ref>

==Women's team==
{{Main|Leicester Tigers Women}}

Leicester Tigers formed a women's team on 15 July 2021,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/leicester-tigers-womens-rugby-programme|work=Leicester Tigers|first1=Gary|last1=Sherrard|title=Leicester Tigers Women's Rugby Programme|date=15 July 2021|access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref> launched in partnership with [[Lichfield Ladies]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/leicester-tigers-reveal-the-who-when-and-where-of-their-new-womens-team/|work=Rugby Pass|title=Leicester Tigers reveal the who, when and where of their new women's team|first1=Kim|last1=Ekin|date=20 August 2021|access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref>

==Season summary==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Season
! colspan="4" | League
! colspan="2" | Domestic cup
! colspan="2" | European cup
|-
! Competition
! Position
! Points
! Play-offs
! Competition
! Performance
! Competition
! Performance
|-
| 1971–72
| 
| 
| 
| 
| [[1971–72 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| 1st round
|
| 
|-
| 1972–73
| 
| 
| 
| 
| [[1972–73 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|
| 
|-
| 1973–74
| 
| 
| 
| 
| [[1973–74 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| 1st round
|
| 
|-
| 1974–75
| 
| 
| 
| 
| [[1974–75 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| Did not qualify
|
| 
|-
| 1975–76
| 
| 
| 
| 
| [[1975–76 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| 1st round
|
| 
|-
| 1976–77
| style="background: silver"|Midlands Merit
| style="background: silver"|2nd
| style="background: silver"|75%
| 
| [[1976–77 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| 2nd round
|
| 
|-
| 1977–78
| Midlands Merit
| 5th
| 62.5%
| 
| style="background: silver"|[[1977–78 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
|
| 
|-
| 1978–79
| style="background: silver"|Midlands Merit
| style="background: silver"|2nd
| style="background: silver"|85.7%
| 
| style="background: gold"|[[1978–79 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|Champions
|
| 
|-
| 1979–80
| style="background: gold"|Midlands Merit
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|85.7%
| 
| style="background: gold"|[[1979–80 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|Champions
|
| 
|-
| 1980–81
| style="background: gold"|Midlands Merit
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|92.9%
| 
| style="background: gold"|[[1980–81 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|Champions
|
| 
|-
| 1981–82
| style="background: gold"|Midlands Merit
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|85.7%
| 
| [[1981–82 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| Semi-final
|
| 
|-
| 1982–83
| style="background: gold"|Midlands Merit
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|100%
| 
| style="background: silver"|[[1982–83 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
|
| 
|-
| 1983–84
| style="background: gold"|Midlands Merit
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|100%
| 
| [[1983–84 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| 3rd round
|
| 
|-
| 1984–85
| National Merit A <br/> Midlands Merit
| 6th <br/> 3rd
| 42.9% <br/> 85.7%
| 
| [[1984–85 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|
| 
|-
| 1985–86
| National Merit A
| 4th
| 70%
| 
| [[1985–86 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| Semi-final
|
| 
|-
| 1986–87
| style="background: silver"|National Merit A
| style="background: silver"|2nd
| style="background: silver"|75%
| 
| [[1986–87 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| Semi-final
|
| 
|-
| 1987–88
| style="background: gold"|[[1987–88 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|37
| 
| [[1987–88 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| 4th round
|
| 
|-
| 1988–89
| [[1988–89 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 6th
| 13
| 
| style="background: silver"|[[1988–89 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
|
| 
|-
| 1989–90
| [[1989–90 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 5th
| 12
| 
| [[1989–90 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|
| 
|-
| 1990–91
| [[1990–91 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 4th
| 16
| 
| [[1990–91 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 4th round
|
| 
|-
| 1991–92
| [[1991–92 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 6th
| 13
| 
| [[1991–92 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Semi-final
|
| 
|-
| 1992–93
| [[1992–93 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 3rd
| 18
| 
| style="background: gold"|[[1992–93 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|Champions
|
| 
|-
| 1993–94
| style="background: silver"|[[1993–94 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| style="background: silver"|2nd
| style="background: silver"|28
| 
| style="background: silver"|[[1993–94 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
|
| 
|-
| 1994–95
| style="background: gold"|[[1994–95 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|31
| 
| [[1994–95 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Semi-final
|
| 
|-
| 1995–96
| style="background: silver"|[[1995–96 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| style="background: silver"|2nd
| style="background: silver"|30
| 
| style="background: silver"|[[1995–96 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
|
| 
|-
| 1996–97
| [[1996–97 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 4th
| 29
| 
| style="background: gold"|[[1996–97 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|Champions
| style="background: silver"|[[1996–97 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| style="background: silver"|[[1997 Heineken Cup Final|Finalist]]
|-
| 1997–98
| [[1997–98 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 4th
| 26
| 
| [[1997–98 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]
| 5th round
| [[1997–98 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 1998–99
| style="background: gold"|[[1998–99 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|44
| 
| [[1998–99 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| Did not enter
| N/A
|-
| 1999–2000
| style="background: gold"|[[1999–2000 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|51
| 
| [[1999–2000 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]
| 5th round
| [[1999–2000 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Group stage
|-
| 2000–01
| style="background: gold"|[[2000–01 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|81
| style="background: gold"|Champions*
| [[2000–01 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]
| Semi-final
| style="background: gold"|[[2000–01 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|[[2001 Heineken Cup Final|Champions]]
|-
| 2001–02
| style="background: gold"|[[2001–02 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|83
| Quarter-final*
| [[2001–02 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| style="background: gold"|[[2001–02 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|[[2002 Heineken Cup Final|Champions]]
|-
| 2002–03
| [[2002–03 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 6th
| 55
| Wildcard winner
| [[2002–03 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| Semi-final
| [[2002–03 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2003–04
| [[2003–04 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 5th
| 55
| Wildcard winner
| [[2003–04 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| 6th round
| [[2003–04 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Group stage
|-
| 2004–05
| style="background: silver"|[[2004–05 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: silver"|1st
| style="background: silver"|78
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
| [[2004–05 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| 6th round
| [[2004–05 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Semi-final
|-
| 2005–06
| style="background: silver"|[[2005–06 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: silver"|2nd
| style="background: silver"|68
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
| [[2005–06 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| Semi-final
| [[2005–06 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2006–07
| style="background: gold"|[[2006–07 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: gold"|2nd
| style="background: gold"|71
| style="background: gold"|Champions
| style="background: gold"|[[2006–07 EDF Energy Cup|EDF Energy Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|Champions
| style="background: silver"|[[2006–07 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| style="background: silver"|[[2007 Heineken Cup Final|Finalist]]
|-
| 2007–08
| style="background: silver"|[[2007–08 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: silver"|4th
| style="background: silver"|64
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
| style="background: silver"|[[2007–08 EDF Energy Cup|EDF Energy Cup]]
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
| [[2007–08 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Group stage
|-
| 2008–09
| style="background: gold"|[[2008–09 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|71
| style="background: gold"|Champions
| [[2008–09 EDF Energy Cup|EDF Energy Cup]]
| Group stage
| style="background: silver"|[[2008–09 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| style="background: silver"|[[2009 Heineken Cup final|Finalist]]
|-
| 2009–10
| style="background: gold"|[[2009–10 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: gold"|1st
| style="background: gold"|73
| style="background: gold"|Champions
| [[2009–10 LV Cup|LV Cup]]
| Group stage
| [[2009–10 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Group stage
|-
| 2010–11
| style="background: silver"|[[2010–11 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: silver"|1st
| style="background: silver"|78
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
| [[2010–11 LV Cup|LV Cup]]
| Group stage
| [[2010–11 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2011–12
| style="background: silver"|[[2011–12 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: silver"|2nd
| style="background: silver"|74
| style="background: silver"|Finalist
| style="background: gold"|[[2011–12 LV Cup|LV Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|Champions
| [[2011–12 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Group stage
|-
| 2012–13
| style="background: gold"|[[2012–13 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: gold"|2nd
| style="background: gold"|74
| style="background: gold"| Champions
| [[2012–13 LV Cup|LV Cup]]
| Group stage
| [[2012–13 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2013–14
| [[2013–14 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 3rd
| 74
| Semi-final
| [[2013–14 LV Cup|LV Cup]]
| Group stage
| [[2013–14 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2014–15
| [[2014–15 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 3rd
| 68
| Semi-final
| [[2014–15 LV Cup|LV Cup]]
| Semi-final
| [[2014–15 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Group stage
|-
| 2015–16
| [[2015–16 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 4th
| 65
| Semi-final
| None
| N/A
| [[2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Semi-final
|-
| 2016–17
| [[2016–17 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 4th
| 66
| Semi-final
| style="background: gold"|[[2016–17 Anglo-Welsh Cup|Anglo-Welsh Cup]]
| style="background: gold"|Champions
| [[2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Group stage
|-
| 2017–18
| [[2017-18 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 5th
| 63
| Did not qualify
| [[2017-18 Anglo-Welsh Cup|Anglo-Welsh Cup]]
| Group stage
| [[2017-18 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Group stage
|-
| 2018–19
| [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 11th
| 41
| Did not qualify
| [[2018-19 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Rugby Cup]]
| Group stage
| [[2018-19 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Group stage
|-
| 2019–20
| [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 11th
| 29
| Did not qualify
| [[2019-20 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Rugby Cup]]
| Group stage
| [[2019-20 European Rugby Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Semi-final
|-
| 2020–21
| [[2020-21 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 6th
| 54
| Did not qualify
| ''No competition''
| N/A
| style="background: silver" |[[2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| style="background: silver" |Finalist
|-
| 2021–22
| style="background: gold"| [[2021-22 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: gold"| 1st
| style="background: gold"| 94
| style="background: gold"| Champions
| [[2021-22 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| Semi-final
| [[2021-22 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2022–23
| [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 3rd
| 59
| Semi-final
| [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| Group stage
| [[2022–23 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Quarter–final
|-
| 2023–24
| [[2023–24 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| 8th
| 45
| Did not qualify
| style="background: silver" |[[2023–24 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| style="background: silver" |Finalist
| [[2023–24 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Round of 16
|-
| 2024–25
| style="background: silver" |[[2024–25 Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]
| style="background: silver" |2nd
| style="background: silver" |61
| style="background: silver" |Finalist
| [[2024–25 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| Group stage
| [[2024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Round of 16
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> In 2001 & 2002, the winners of the league were considered champions with the winners of the playoffs considered champions from 2003 onward.

===Premiership play-offs===
[[File:Leicester LondonWasps final2008.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Leicester Tigers playing in the 2008 Premiership Final against Wasps.]]

Leicester have participated in 16 of the 22 Premiership Play Offs, reaching nine consecutive finals between 2005 and 2013. Leicester finished first in 2004–05 going directly to the final; in [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] & [[Neil Back]]'s last game for the club, they lost 39–14 to [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]]. [[2005-06 Premiership Rugby|The following season]], Tigers finished second beating [[London Irish]] 40–8 in their first Play Off semi final before losing the final 45–20 to [[Sale Sharks|Sale]].

In 2007, Leicester won their first title via the playoffs. They defeated [[Bristol Bears|Bristol]] 26–14 in the semi-final before beating [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]] 44–16 at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6649519.stm | work=BBC News | title=Gloucester v Leicester – as it happened | date=12 May 2007 | access-date=7 May 2010}}</ref> On 18 May 2008, Leicester defeated Gloucester at [[Kingsholm]] to become the first team to win a Premiership semi-final playoff away from home.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/gloucester/7395892.stm|publisher=BBC|date=18 May 2008|access-date=2 January 2018|title=Gloucester 25-26 Leicester}}</ref> Leicester lost the 2008 final 26–16 to Wasps.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7426519.stm|publisher=BBC|date=31 May 2008|access-date=2 January 2018|title=2008 Guinness Premiership final}}</ref>

In 2008–09, Tigers topped the table and beat [[Bath Rugby|Bath]] 24–10 in the semi-final. The final was the closest yet, Tigers winning 10–9 against [[London Irish]].<ref name="2009 Prem Final"/> In 2010, the side retained the trophy winning 33–27 against [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]], [[Dan Hipkiss]] scored the decisive try in the closing stages.<ref name="2010 Prem Final"/> Tigers reached the [[2010–11 English Premiership (rugby union)#Final|2010–11 final]] for a rematch with Saracens losing 22–18.

2011–12 saw Tigers finish second in the table and beat Saracens 24–15 in the semi-finals at Welford Road. In the [[2011–12 Premiership Rugby#Final|2012 final]], [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]] beat Leicester 30–23. In 2013, Leicester finished second and beat Harlequins 33–16 in the semi-final at Welford Road. Leicester won their tenth Premiership title by beating [[Northampton Saints|Northampton]], 37–17.<ref>{{cite web|last=Osborne|first=Chris|title=Aviva Premiership final: Leicester 37–17 Northampton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/22656677|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=20 June 2013|date=25 May 2013}}</ref> These nine consecutive finals is a record for consecutive appearances in a Premiership play-off final.

In [[2013–14 Premiership Rugby#Semi-finals|2014]], Leicester finished third and lost, 21–20, to Northampton in the semi-final at [[Franklin's Gardens]]. In [[2014–15 Premiership Rugby|2015]], Leicester finished third and lost to Bath, 47–10, in the semi-finals. In [[2015–16 Premiership Rugby|2016]], Leicester finished fourth and travelled to [[Barnet Copthall|Allianz Park]] where they lost to [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]], 44–17. In [[2016–17 Premiership Rugby|2017]], Leicester finished fourth and faced [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]] at the [[Ricoh Arena]], losing 21–20.

After a four-year spell of missing the play offs, Leicester returned to the play offs in 2022 after finishing the regular season top. In the semi-final, they beat Northampton Saints 27–14. In the final, they faced Saracens, [[Freddie Burns]] scored an 80th minute drop goal to win the final 15–12 and seal Leicester's 11th English Championship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61829701|work=BBC Sport|date=18 June 2022|access-date=19 June 2022|title=Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title|author=Andrew Aloia}}</ref>

In the 2023 season, Leicester finished third and lost to [[Sale Sharks]], 21–13, after travelling to the [[AJ Bell Stadium]] in Salford. Tigers faced Sale again in 2025 semi-finals, this time at Welford Road. Tigers won 21-16, [[Izaia Perese]] scoring the winning try with his first touch breaking from 40 meters out.<ref name="2025 SF 1"/><ref name="2025 SF 2"/> In the final, they played Bath, losing 23–21 after a string of controversial penalty decisions against Leicester.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/14/leicester-coach-cheika-hits-out-at-cole-yellow-card-after-final-defeat-by-bath|work=The Guardian|date=14 June 2025| access-date=15 June 2025|first1=Robert|last1=Kitson|title=Leicester coach Cheika hits out at Cole yellow card after final defeat by Bath}}</ref>

==Honours==
{{See also|Leicester Tigers in Cup Finals}}

Leicester hold the record for most Premiership titles (11), the most consecutive Premiership Final appearances (9) and the most Play off appearances (14). They were the first team to achieve an away semi-final victory in the Premiership play-offs (against Gloucester at Kingsholm on 18 May 2008).
[[File:Leicester Tigers Trophy cabinet August 2024.jpg|thumb|Leicester Tigers trophy cabinet in August 2024]]

===1st XV===
* [[Premiership Rugby]]
**Champions (11): [[1987–88 Courage League National Division One|1988]], [[1994–95 Courage League National Division One|1995]], [[1998–99 English Premiership (rugby union)|1999]], [[1999–2000 English Premiership (rugby union)|2000]], [[2000–01 English Premiership (rugby union)|2001]], [[2001–02 English Premiership (rugby union)|2002]], [[2006–07 Guinness Premiership|2007]], [[2008–09 Guinness Premiership|2009]], [[2009–10 Guinness Premiership|2010]], [[2012–13 Aviva Premiership|2013]], [[2021–22 Premiership Rugby|2022]]
** Runners-up (8): [[1993–94 Courage League National Division One|1994]], [[1995–96 Courage League National Division One|1996]], [[2004–05 English Premiership (rugby union)|2005]], [[2005–06 English Premiership (rugby union)|2006]], [[2007–08 English Premiership (rugby union)|2008]], [[2010–11 English Premiership (rugby union)|2011]], [[2011–12 English Premiership (rugby union)|2012]], [[2024–25 Premiership Rugby|2025]]
*[[Heineken Cup|European Cup]]
** Champions (2): [[2000–01 Heineken Cup|2001]], [[2001–02 Heineken Cup|2002]]
**Runners-up (3): [[1996–97 Heineken Cup|1997]], [[2006–07 Heineken Cup|2007]], [[2008–09 Heineken Cup|2009]]
*[[Zurich Championship]]
**Champions (1): 2001
*[[RFU Knockout Cup]]
**Champions (5): [[1978–79 John Player Cup|1979]], [[1979–80 John Player Cup|1980]], [[1980–81 John Player Cup|1981]], [[1992–93 Pilkington Cup|1993]], [[1996–97 Pilkington Cup|1997]]
**Runners-up (5): [[1977–78 John Player Cup|1978]], [[1982–83 John Player Cup|1983]], [[1988–89 Pilkington Cup|1989]], [[1993–94 Pilkington Cup|1994]], [[1995–96 Pilkington Cup|1996]]
*[[Anglo-Welsh Cup]]
**Champions (3): [[2006–07 EDF Energy Cup|2007]], [[2011–12 LV Cup|2012]], [[2016–17 Anglo-Welsh Cup|2017]]
** Runners-up (1): [[2007–08 EDF Energy Cup|2008]]
*[[Premiership Rugby Cup]]
**Runners-up (1): [[2023-24 Premiership Rugby Cup|2024]]
*[[European Rugby Challenge Cup|European Challenge Cup]]
** Runners-up (1): [[2020–21 European Rugby Challenge Cup|2020–21]]
*[[Midland Counties Football Union#Midland Counties Cup|Midland Counties Cup]]
** Champions (12): 1897–98, 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1900–01, 1901–02, 1902–03, 1903–04, 1904–05, 1908–09, 1909–10, 1911–12, 1912–13
** Runners-up (3): 1888–89, 1890–91, 1893–94

===Leicester A (Reserve team)===
*[[Aviva A League|Premiership A League]]
: Champions (4) 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011
: Runners-up (1) 2007
*[[Leicestershire County Cup]]
: Champions (5) 1895, 1896, 1898, 1899, 1902

==Club culture==

===Nickname===
[[File:Welford Road Mural.jpg|thumb|A mural on the West Stand at Welford Road Stadium]]

The club's formal name is Leicester Football Club but is widely known by the nickname "Tigers". The first known use of the name was after a game against [[Bedford School]] in February 1885, the ''Leicester Daily Post'' reporting that "the Tiger stripes were keeping well together".{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=20}} The origin of the nickname is uncertain most probably coming from the side's chocolate and yellow playing kit, but it may have come from the club's links to the [[Royal Leicestershire Regiment|Leicestershire Regiment]],{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=19}} who had received the nickname 'Tigers' after serving in [[British Raj|India]], and from 1825 had worn a cap-badge with a 'royal' tiger to mark the connection.

In their early years, the side were also known as "The Death or Glory Boys" on account of their black shirts.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=19}}

===Player identification===
In the 1926–27 season, Leicester started using letters to identify their forwards; [[Birmingham Post|''The Birmingham Post'']] report for the match against [[Bath Rugby|Bath]] on 6 October 1926 noted "Leicester's forwards were picked out easily as their jerseys were decorated with large bold letters A-G". On 12 September 1931, against [[Old Blues RFC|Old Blues]], the practice was expanded to the whole team.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=486}}

This tradition lasted until 1998 when [[Premiership Rugby]] rules forced Leicester to abandon lettering and Tigers first wore numbers on 5 September 1998 against [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]] at [[Welford Road Stadium|Welford Road]].{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=486}}

Since then, Leicester have only returned to letters for non-competition friendlies against sides such as {{nrut|Australia}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/abc-club-action-leicester-tigers-clash-aussies/story-12082324-detail/story.html|title=ABC Club back in action for Leicester Tigers' clash with Aussies|publisher=Leicester Mercury|date=27 October 2010|access-date=22 April 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421082639/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/ABC-Club-action-Leicester-Tigers-clash-Aussies/story-12082324-detail/story.html|archive-date=21 April 2014}}</ref> or the [[New Zealand Maori rugby union team|New Zealand Maori]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/s-letters-shirts-leicester-tigers/story-17308531-detail/story.html|title=It's back to letters on shirts for Leicester Tigers|publisher=Leicester Mercury|date=13 November 2012|access-date=22 April 2017}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On the current kit, the letters are displayed in small on the front of the jersey.

===Colours===

Tigers' very first kit was black with white shorts and black socks, with the club's crest in the centre of the chest. From 1884 to 1887, the club played in chocolate and yellow shirts, likely giving rise to the club's nickname, white shorts and black socks before experimenting with claret and French grey horizontal stripes between 1887 and 1891.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=456}}

[[File:Martin Johnson and Graham Rowntree.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Martin Johnson and Graham Rowntree in Tigers traditional colours during the friendly match vs. Bath in 2007.]]

The first use of the scarlet, green and white was on 3 October 1891 against [[Milton Keynes RUFC|Wolverton]] at Belgrave Cricket & Cycle Ground. However, for the 1891–92 season, the pattern was vertical stripes.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=21}} It was not until 1895 that the now-traditional scarlet, green and white horizontal stripes were introduced to the jersey, paired with black shorts and socks until 1906.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=456}} The Tigers then played three season between 1906 and 1909 in white shirts with navy shorts, the first two seasons with a leaping tiger logo on the left breast{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=44}} before reverting to a scarlet, green and white striped jersey, while retaining the navy shorts. This new kit layout lasted until 1947 when the navy shorts were swapped for white.

The Tigers kit and colours did not materially change between 1947 and 1999, only slight variations in the sizes of the stripes, the addition of a manufacturer's logo in 1975, a sponsor in 1988 and in 1991 the addition of the club crest for the first time since 1908.

In 1999, the Tigers switched to a darker green and have played in a variety of kit designs since.

{| style="margin:1em auto;"
| {{Football kit box
|pattern_b = _old laced
  | leftarm=000000
  | body=000000
  | rightarm=000000
  |pattern_so = 
  | shorts=FFFFFF
  | socks=000000
  | title={{center|1880–1884}}
}}
| {{Football kit box
  | pattern_la=_maroon_hoops
  | pattern_b=_orangehoops2
  | pattern_ra=_maroon_hoops
  |pattern_so = _whitestripe
  | leftarm=FF7E00
  | body=7B3F00
  | rightarm=FF7E00
  | shorts=FFFFFF
  | socks=000000
  | title={{center|1884–1887}}
}}
| {{Football kit box
  | pattern_la=_maroon_hoops2
  | pattern_b=_maroonhoops2
  | pattern_ra=_maroon_hoops2
  |pattern_so = _whitestripe
  | leftarm=BEBEBE
  | body=BEBEBE
  | rightarm=BEBEBE
  | shorts=FFFFFF
  | socks=000000
  | title={{center|1887–1891}}
}}
| {{Football kit box
  | pattern_la=_leicester1892rugbykit
  | pattern_b=_leicester1892rugbykit
  | pattern_ra=_leicester1892rugbykit
  |pattern_so = _whitestripe
  | shorts=000000
  | socks=000000
  | title={{center|1891–1895}}
}}
|}
{| style="margin:1em auto;"
| {{Football kit box
  | pattern_la=_leicester99rugbykit
  | pattern_b=_leicester99rugbykit
  | pattern_ra=_leicester99rugbykit
  |pattern_so = _whitestripe
  | leftarm=008000
  | body=
  | rightarm=008000
  | shorts=000000
  | socks=000000
  | title={{center|1895–1906}}
 }}
| {{Football kit box
  | pattern_la=
  | pattern_b= _old_laced
  | pattern_ra=
  | pattern_so = _whitestripe
  | leftarm=FFFFFF
  | body=FFFFFF
  | rightarm=FFFFFF
  | shorts=003153
  | socks=000000
  | title={{center|1906–1909}}
 }}
| {{Football kit box
  | pattern_la=_leicester99rugbykit
  | pattern_b=_leicester99rugbykit
  | pattern_ra=_leicester99rugbykit
  |pattern_so = _whitestripe
  | leftarm=008000
  | body=
  | rightarm=008000
  | shorts=003153
  | socks=000000
  | title={{center|1906–1947}}
 }}
| {{Football kit box
  | pattern_la=_leicester99rugbykit
  | pattern_b=_leicester99rugbykit
  | pattern_ra=_leicester99rugbykit
  | pattern_so=_leicestersocks
  | leftarm=008000
  | body=
  | rightarm=008000
  | shorts=FFFFFF
  | socks=000000
  | title={{center|1947–1999}}
 }}
|}

===Summary of kit manufacturers and sponsors===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;left"
|-
! Seasons
! Manufacturer
! Sponsor
|-
| 1991–1992
| rowspan=4|Cotton <br/> Oxford
| None
|-
| 1992–1993
| Ansells
|-
| 1993–1995
| [[Tetley's Brewery|Tetley Bitter]]
|-
| 1995–1996
| rowspan=2|[[GoldStar]]
|-
| 1996–1997
| rowspan=5|[[Cotton Traders|Cotton <br/> Traders]]
|-
| 1997–1999
| [[Next plc|Next]]
|-
| 1999–2002
| [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]]
|-
| 2002–2008
| [[Aggregate Industries|Bradstone]]
|-
| 2008–2012
| rowspan=3|[[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]]
|-
| 2012–2015
| [[Canterbury of New Zealand|Canterbury]]
|-
| 2015–2016
| rowspan=2|KooGa
|-
| 2016–2017
| rowspan=2|[[Holland and Barrett]]
|-
| 2017–2020
| [[Kukri Sports]]
|-
| 2020–present
| [[Samurai Sportswear|Samurai]]
| [[Topps Tiles]]
|}

===Rivalries===

Tigers' main rivals are [[Northampton Saints]] - the [[East Midlands Derby (Rugby Union)|East Midlands Derby]] has taken place between the two clubs for over 130 years - and [[Bath Rugby|Bath]], a rivalry that developed in the 1980s and 1990s, when both sides were fighting at the top of the English game.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2025/06/12/how-bath-v-leicester-became-english-rugbys-biggest-rivalry/|title=Punch-ups, testicle grabbing and hatred: Inside the Bath-Leicester rivalry|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=12 June 2025|access-date=12 June 2025|first1=Charles|last1=Richardson|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Tigers also developed a rivalry with [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]] in the mid-2000s, when they faced each other in three major finals over the course of four seasons, with Wasps winning all three. Historically, Tigers had a strong local rivalry with [[Coventry R.F.C.|Coventry]] from the 1880s until the 1990s, after which the sides did not face each other until 2025.<ref>{{cite podcast |host=Adam Whitty|title=A Rugby Rivalry Revived |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC Radio Leicester |date=12 June 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0k2v1w1 |access-date=12 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/cov-seek-to-end-27-year-leicester-drought-with-a-cup-win/|title=Cov seek to end 27-year Leicester drought with a cup win| first1=Paul|last1=Smith|date=6 November 2024|access-date=12 June 2025|work=Coventry Rugby}}</ref>

Twice annually, Tigers face [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]] for the [[Slater Cup]], named in honour of [[Ed Slater]] a former player for both sides who was diagnosed in 2022 with [[motor neurone disease]]. Prior to the cup being awarded, Leicester and Gloucester had faced each other over 200 times since the 1890s.

==Stadium==
{{main|Welford Road Stadium}}

[[File: Leicester tigers new stand.jpg|thumb|The North stand]]
The club plays its home games at [[Welford Road Stadium|Mattioli Wood Welford Road]]. The ground was opened in 1892 and the first stands accommodated 3,000 spectators.{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=482}} The clubhouse was built on the Aylestone Road end in 1909,{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=61}} the Members' & Crumbie Stands were built just before and just after the First World War respectively. A stand was built at the Welford Road end in 1995, initially called the Alliance & Leicester Stand, it is currently known as the [[Mattioli Woods]] Stand.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/25030.php#.V6zY8aJ2Xww|title=Tigers join forces with Mattioli Woods|publisher=Leicester Tigers|date=25 July 2016}}</ref> The total ground capacity is currently 25,849 after redevelopments in 2008 and 2015.

Before redevelopment of Welford Road began in 2008 the club explored other options. On 23 November 2004 the club announced that it had entered into a 50–50 joint venture with the city's main [[Association football|football]] club, [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], to purchase City's current ground, [[King Power Stadium|Leicester City Stadium]]. If the purchase had gone through, the Tigers would have surrendered their lease on Welford Road and moved into Walkers Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyrugby.com/TOURNAMENTS/Zuric_Premiership/Tournament_News/story_40106.shtml|title=Tigers to move to Walkers Stadium?|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041129174901/http://www.rugbyrugby.com/TOURNAMENTS/Zuric_Premiership/Tournament_News/story_40106.shtml|archive-date=29 November 2004}}</ref> However, after several months of talks, the two clubs ended any ground share plans in July 2005.<ref>[http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/story_44750.shtml Tigers call off ground share plan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029071956/http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/story_44750.shtml |date=29 October 2005 }}</ref>

On 11 June 2007 the club announced plans that it was working for a redevelopment plan which would raise the capacity from 17,498 to 25,000 by 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/6741299.stm|title=Tigers set to redevelop stadium|date=11 June 2007 |publisher=BBC|access-date=11 June 2007}}</ref> On 20 February 2008 Leicester Tigers received planning consent for the £60million redevelopment of Welford Road. The first phase of the development was a new 10,000 seat North Stand (Granby Halls side), taking overall capacity from 17,498 to 24,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tigers.co.uk/29_10548.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113075435/http://www.tigers.co.uk/29_10548.php|url-status=dead|title=Tigers stadium development|archive-date=13 January 2008}}</ref> In the summer of 2008 work began on the construction of the new North Stand. The work was completed for the first home game of the [[2009–10 English Premiership (rugby union)|2009-10 season]] against [[Newcastle Falcons]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/13494.php|title=Tigers set to break record attendance|publisher=Premiership Rugby|date=28 August 2009|access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref>

At the end of the 2008–09 season three home games were played at the [[King Power Stadium]], then known as the Walkers Stadium, due to demolition of the old north stand. These saw Tigers play Bath twice, a 20–15 win in the [[Heineken Cup]] quarter finals and a victory in the Premiership Play Off semi finals as well as a 73–3 win against [[Bristol Bears|Bristol]]. Tigers have also played two Heineken Cup semi-final games at the [[King Power Stadium]], against [[Stade Toulousain|Toulose]] and [[Scarlets|Llanelli Scarlets]] in 2005 and 2007 respectively, but the ground was designated as a neutral venue for both.

[[File:Welford Road West Stand August 2024.jpg|thumb|Welford Road's West stand taken at open training session in August 2024]]

On 27 February 2015 Tigers announced plans to continue the redevelopment of Welford Road by replacing the clubhouse and temporary West Stand with a new permanent building with a 3,100 capacity.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/redevelopment-of-the-clubhouse-end-2015-02-27|date=27 February 2015|access-date=2 January 2018|title=Redevelopment of the Clubhouse End|publisher=Leicester Tigers}}</ref> Work started on 28 May 2015<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-32914552|publisher=BBC|title=Leicester Tigers begin work on 'biggest' rugby stadium|date=28 May 2015|access-date=2 January 2018}}</ref> and was completed by January 2016.

In October 2020, Mattioli Woods extended their naming rights deal to include the entire stadium for 5 seasons until 2024–25. The stadium became '''Mattioli Woods Welford Road'''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mattioli Woods invest in Tigers with new five-year deal|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/mattioli-woods-invest-in-tigers-with-new-five-year-deal|access-date=19 October 2020|website=Leicester Tigers|language=en}}</ref>

==Current squad==

===Senior squad===
{{For|player movements during the [[2025–26 Premiership Rugby|2025–26 season]]|List of 2025–26 Premiership Rugby transfers#Leicester Tigers}}

The Leicester Tigers senior squad for the [[2025–26 Premiership Rugby|2025–26 season]] is:<ref name="Squad">{{Cite news|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/team/senior |publisher=Leicester Tigers |title=Senior |date=17 September 2025|access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://all.rugby/club/leicester/squad |publisher=All Rugby |title=Leicester squad for season 2024/2025 |date=21 November 2024|access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref> 
 
{{rugby squad start}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name='''[[Jamie Blamire]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=[[Charlie Clare]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=[[John Stewart (rugby union, born 2002)|John Stewart]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=[[Finn Theobald-Thomas]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Archie van der Flier]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Tarek Haffar]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name='''[[Joe Heyes]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=SCO | pos=PR | name='''[[Will Hurd (rugby union)|Will Hurd]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=USA | pos=PR | name='''[[Tonga Kofe]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=SWE | pos=PR | name='''[[Ale Loman]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Cameron Miell]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=PR | name='''[[Nicky Smith (rugby union)|Nicky Smith]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[Lewis Chessum]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name='''[[Ollie Chessum]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=SCO | pos=LK | name='''[[Cameron Henderson]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[Tom Manz]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name='''[[George Martin (rugby union)|George Martin]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name='''[[Harry Wells (rugby union)|Harry Wells]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=LK | name=[[James Thompson (rugby union)|James Thompson]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[Finn Carnduff]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=BR | name='''[[Olly Cracknell]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[Emeka Ilione]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=RSA | pos=BR | name=[[Hanro Liebenberg]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[Josh Manz]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=BR | name='''[[Joaquín Moro]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=BR | name='''[[Tommy Reffell]]'''}}
{{rugby squad mid}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name=[[Ollie Allan]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name='''[[Jack van Poortvliet]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name=[[Tom Whiteley]]}} 
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FH | name=[[Orlando Bailey]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FH | name=[[Billy Searle]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FH | name=[[Charlie Titcombe]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=TON | pos=CE | name='''[[Solomone Kata]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=AUS | pos=CE | name='''[[Izaia Perese]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=[[Will Wand]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=[[Joseph Woodward (rugby union)|Joseph Woodward]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=[[Gabriel Hamer-Webb]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name='''[[Ollie Hassell-Collins]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name='''[[Adam Radwan]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=AUS | pos=FB | name='''[[James O'Connor (rugby union)|James O'Connor]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FB | name='''[[Freddie Steward]]'''}}
{{rugby squad end}}

{{notelist}}

===Senior Academy squad===

Leicester Tigers' Academy squad is:<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/team/senior-academy-squad |publisher=Leicester Tigers |title=Senior Academy Squad |date=17 September 2025|access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref>

{{rugby squad start}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Bronson Mellowes]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Tubuna Maka]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Diamond Ayiehfor]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[Harry Palmer (rugby union)|Harry Palmer]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[Monty Loggenberg]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[George Marsh (rugby union, born 2007)|George Marsh]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[Samuel Williams (rugby union, born 2004)|Samuel Williams]]}}
{{rugby squad mid}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name=[[Charlie Bemand]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FH | name=[[Tom Threlfall]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=[[Wilf McCarthy]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=[[Charlie Myall]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=[[Kesena Izu]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=[[Jack Kinder]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FB | name=[[George Pearson (rugby union, born 2006)|George Pearson]]}}
{{rugby squad end}}

==Notable former players==

===Record appearances and scorers===
{{main|List of Leicester Tigers records and statistics}}

[[David Matthews (rugby union)|David Matthews]] holds the record for most appearances for Leicester Tigers with 502 appearances between 1955 and 1974. [[Percy Lawrie (rugby union)|Percy Lawrie]] is the only man to score more than 200 tries for the club, scoring a record 206 between 1907 and 1927. [[Dusty Hare]] is the club's all-time highest points scorer with 4,507 between 1976 and 1989.

===Internationals===
{{main|List of Leicester Tigers players selected for international rugby}}

[[List of Leicester Tigers players selected for International rugby|178 players]] from 16 different nations have been selected to represent their national side whilst a member of Leicester. The first was [[Jack Miles (rugby union)|Jack Miles]] who was selected for [[England national rugby union team|England]] in 1903, Leicester's first non-English international was [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]]'s [[Jock Lawrie]] in 1924. The club's first non-British or Irish player selected for international duty was [[Canada national rugby union team|Canada]]'s [[Dave Lougheed]] when he played against [[United States men's national rugby union team|United States]] in August 1998.

===Lions tourists===
The following are players who have represented the [[British & Irish Lions|Lions]] while playing for Leicester:

'''3 tours''':
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] ([[1993 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1993]], [[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa|1997]], [[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2001]])
* [[Neil Back]] ([[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa|1997]], [[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2001]], [[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2005]])
{{div col end}}

'''2 tours''':
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Dan Cole (rugby union)|Dan Cole]] ([[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2013]], [[2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2017]])
* [[Tom Croft]] ([[2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|2009]], [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2013]])
* [[Martin Corry (rugby union)|Martin Corry]] ([[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2001]], [[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2005]])
* [[Graham Rowntree]] ([[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa|1997]], [[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2005]])
* [[Austin Healey]] ([[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa|1997]], [[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2001]])
* [[Dean Richards (rugby union)|Dean Richards]] ([[1989 British Lions tour to Australia|1989]], [[1993 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1993]])
* [[Rory Underwood]] ([[1989 British Lions tour to Australia|1989]], [[1993 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1993]])
* [[Clive Woodward]] ([[1980 British Lions tour to South Africa|1980]], [[1983 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1983]])
* [[Peter Wheeler (rugby union)|Peter Wheeler]] ([[1977 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1977]], [[1980 British Lions tour to South Africa|1980]])
{{div col end}}

'''1 tour'''

''Italics'' denote a player who appeared on another tour whilst a member of another club.

'''[[2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2025]]:''' [[Ollie Chessum]]<br/>
'''[[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2013]]:''' [[Ben Youngs]]†, [[Tom Youngs]], [[Manu Tuilagi]], [[Geoff Parling]]<br/>
'''[[2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|2009]]:''' [[Harry Ellis]]<br/>
'''[[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2005]]:''' [[Julian White]], [[Ben Kay]], [[Lewis Moody]], [[Geordan Murphy]], [[Ollie Smith (rugby union, born 1982)|Ollie Smith]]<br/>
'''[[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2001]]:''' [[Dorian West]]<br/>
'''[[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa|1997]]:''' ''[[Will Greenwood]]'', [[Eric Miller (rugby player)|Eric Miller]]<br/>
'''[[1993 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1993]]:''' ''[[Tony Underwood]]''<br/>
'''[[1983 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1983]]:''' [[Dusty Hare]]<br/>
'''[[1980 British Lions tour to South Africa|1980]]:''' [[Paul Dodge]]<br/>
'''[[1974 British Lions tour to South Africa|1974]]:''' [[Alan Old]]<br/>
'''[[1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1971]]:''' ''[[Rodger Arneil]]''<br/>
'''[[1959 British Lions tour to Australia and New Zealand|1959]]:''' ''[[Tony O'Reilly]]'', [[Phil Horrocks-Taylor]]<br/>
'''[[1936 British Lions tour to Argentina|1936]]:''' [[Bernard Gadney]], [[Alexander Obolensky]], [[Charles Beamish]]<br/>
'''[[1930 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia|1930]]:''' [[Doug Prentice]], [[George Beamish]], [[Douglas Kendrew|Joe Kendrew]]<br/>
'''[[1910 British Lions tour to South Africa|1910]]:''' [[Kenneth Berridge Wood|Ken Wood]]<br/>
'''[[1908 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia|1908]]:''' [[Frederick Stanley Jackson|F. S. Jackson]], [[John Jackett (rugby union)|John Jackett]], [[Thomas William Smith|Tom Smith]]<br/>
'''[[1903 British Lions tour to South Africa|1903]]:''' [[Alfred Hind]]

†[[Ben Youngs]] was selected to tour for a second time in 2017, but turned down the offer for family reasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/05/06/ben-youngs-pulls-lions-tour-new-zealand-wife-brother-tom-suffering/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/05/06/ben-youngs-pulls-lions-tour-new-zealand-wife-brother-tom-suffering/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 September 2018|title=Ben Youngs pulls out of Lions tour to New Zealand with wife of brother Tom suffering from terminal cancer|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=6 May 2017 |last1=Sport |first1=Telegraph }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Rugby World Cup===
The following are players which have represented their countries at the [[Rugby World Cup]], whilst playing for Leicester:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Tournament
!Players selected
!{{nrut|England}} players
!Other national team players
|-
| [[1987 Rugby World Cup|1987]]
| 2
| [[Dean Richards (rugby union)|Dean Richards]], [[Rory Underwood]]
| 
|-
| [[1991 Rugby World Cup|1991]]
| 2
| [[Dean Richards (rugby union)|Dean Richards]], [[Rory Underwood]]
| 
|-
| [[1995 Rugby World Cup|1995]]
| 6
| [[Neil Back]], [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]], [[Dean Richards (rugby union)|Dean Richards]], [[Graham Rowntree]], [[Rory Underwood]], [[Tony Underwood]]
| 
|-
| [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]]
| 11
| [[Neil Back]], [[Richard Cockerill]], [[Martin Corry (rugby union)|Martin Corry]], [[Darren Garforth]], [[Will Greenwood]], [[Austin Healey]], [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]], [[Leon Lloyd]], [[Graham Rowntree]],
| [[Dave Lougheed]] {{flag icon|Canada}}, [[Fritz van Heerden]] {{flag icon|South Africa}}
|-
| [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]]
| 8
| [[Neil Back]], [[Martin Corry (rugby union)|Martin Corry]], [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]], [[Ben Kay]], [[Lewis Moody]], [[Julian White]], [[Dorian West]],
| [[Dan Lyle]] {{flag icon|USA}}
|-
| [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007]]
| 11
| [[George Chuter]], [[Martin Corry (rugby union)|Martin Corry]], [[Dan Hipkiss]], [[Ben Kay]], [[Lewis Moody]],
| [[Marcos Ayerza]] {{flag icon|Argentina}}, [[Seru Rabeni]] {{flag icon|Fiji}}, [[Geordan Murphy]] {{flag icon|Ireland|rugby union}}, [[Martin Castrogiovanni]] {{flag icon|Italy}}, [[Alesana Tuilagi]] {{flag icon|Samoa}}, [[Jim Hamilton (rugby player)|Jim Hamilton]] {{flag icon|Scotland}}
|-
| [[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011]]
| 12
| [[Dan Cole (rugby union)|Dan Cole]], [[Tom Croft]], [[Louis Deacon]], [[Toby Flood]], [[Manu Tuilagi]], [[Thomas Waldrom]], [[Ben Youngs]],
| [[Marcos Ayerza]] {{flag icon|Argentina}}, [[Horacio Agulla]] {{flag icon|Argentina}}, [[Geordan Murphy]] {{flag icon|Ireland|rugby union}}, [[Martin Castrogiovanni]] {{flag icon|Italy}}, [[Alesana Tuilagi]] {{flag icon|Samoa}}
|-
| [[2015 Rugby World Cup|2015]]
| 8
| [[Dan Cole (rugby union)|Dan Cole]], [[Ben Youngs]], [[Tom Youngs]],
| [[Marcos Ayerza]] {{flag icon|Argentina}}, [[Vereniki Goneva]] {{flag icon|Fiji}}, [[Leonardo Ghiraldini]] {{flag icon|Italy}}, [[Michele Rizzo]] {{flag icon|Italy}}, [[Opeti Fonua]] {{flag icon|Tonga}}
|-
| [[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019]]
| 8
| [[Dan Cole (rugby union)|Dan Cole]], [[George Ford (rugby union)|George Ford]], [[Ellis Genge]], [[Jonny May]], [[Manu Tuilagi]], [[Ben Youngs]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/england-men-announce-squad-for-rugby-world-cup|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191211115925/https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/england-men-announce-squad-for-rugby-world-cup|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2019|publisher=England Rugby|title=England men announce squad for Rugby World Cup|date=12 August 2019|access-date=12 August 2019}}</ref>
| [[Sione Kalamafoni]] {{flag icon|Tonga}}, [[Telusa Veainu]] {{flag icon|Tonga}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.world.rugby/news/447083?lang=en|work=World Rugby | title=Kefu names squad tasked with making history|date=2 September 2019|access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[2023 Rugby World Cup|2023]]
| 10
| [[Ollie Chessum]], [[Dan Cole (rugby union)|Dan Cole]], [[George Martin (rugby union)|George Martin]], [[Freddie Steward]], [[Ben Youngs]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66427035|work=BBC Sport|date=7 August 2023|access-date=7 August 2023|title=England World Cup squad: Henry Slade & Alex Dombrandt miss out, Joe Marchant & Theo Dan in}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66499462|work=BBC Sport|title=Rugby World Cup: Jack van Poortvliet to miss World Cup with ankle injury|date=14 August 2023|access-date=18 August 2023}}</ref>
| [[Julián Montoya]] {{flag icon|Argentina}},<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-world-cup/argentina-rugby-world-cup-squad-2023-151331|work=Rugby World|first1=Alan|last1=Dymock|title=Argentina Rugby World Cup squad 2023|date=7 August 2023|access-date=7 August 2023}}</ref> [[Jasper Wiese]] {{flag icon|South Africa}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/news/south-africa-rugby-world-cup-squad-2023-151195|work=Rugby World|first1=Alan|last1=Dymock|title=South Africa Rugby World Cup squad 2023|date=8 August 2023|access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref> [[Tommy Reffell]] {{flag icon|Wales}},<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/wales-countries/wales-rugby-world-cup-squad-2023-149049|work=Rugby World|date=21 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023|title=Wales Rugby World Cup squad 2023|first1=Josh|last1=Graham}}</ref> [[Solomone Kata]] {{flag icon|Tonga}},<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/rugby-world-cup/tonga-rugby-world-cup-squad-2023-151373|work=Rugby World|date=21 August 2023|access-date=21 August 2023|title=Tonga Rugby World Cup squad 2023|first1=Sarah|last1=Rendell}}</ref> [[Handré Pollard]] {{flag icon|South Africa}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.springboks.rugby/news-features/articles/2023/09/17/handre-pollard-to-join-springboks-rwc-squad-in-paris/|title=Pollard to join Springboks' RWC squad in Paris|date=17 September 2023|access-date=17 September 2023}}</ref>
|}

===International captains===
Source:{{sfn|Farmer|Hands|2014|p=454}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Wavell Wakefield]] (England, 1924, 4 tests)
* [[Doug Prentice]] (Lions, 1930, 2 tests)
* [[George Beamish]] (Ireland, 1932, 4 tests)
* [[Bernard Gadney]] (England, 1934–1936, 8 tests; Lions, 1936, 1 test)
* [[Douglas Kendrew]] (England, 1935, 2 tests)
* [[Peter Wheeler (rugby union)|Peter Wheeler]] (England, 1983–1984, 5 tests)
* [[Paul Dodge]] (England, 1985, 7 tests)
* [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] (England, 1998–2003, 39 tests; Lions, 1997 & 2001, 6 tests)
* [[Neil Back]] (England, 2001, 4 tests)
* [[Dorian West]] (England, 2003, 1 test)
* [[Martin Corry (rugby union)|Martin Corry]] (England, 2005–2007, 17 tests)
* [[Lewis Moody]] (England, 2010, 3 tests)
* [[Martin Castrogiovanni]] (Italy, 2012, 3 tests)
* [[Leonardo Ghiraldini]] (Italy, 2015, 4 tests)
* [[George Ford (rugby union)|George Ford]] (England, 2017–2019, 1 test as co-captain, 4 tests as captain)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/105032.html?captain=1;captain=2;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=default;template=results;type=player|title=George Ford, England matches as captain and co-captain|access-date=1 September 2019|work=ESPN.com|archive-date=22 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022110741/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/105032.html?captain=1;captain=2;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=default;template=results;type=player|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Julián Montoya]] (Argentina, 2021–2022, 10 tests)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/226027.html?captain=1;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=default;template=results;type=player|title=Julian Montoya, Argentina matches as captain|access-date=23 September 2021|work=ESPN.com|archive-date=19 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419183325/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/player/226027.html?captain=1%3Bclass%3D1%3Bfilter%3Dadvanced%3Borderby%3Ddefault%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dplayer|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

<nowiki>*</nowiki> Martin Corry was also captain for the majority of a Lions test in 2005 after [[Brian O'Driscoll]] left the field injured, however he is not considered the official captain for that match.

===Captains===
The following have been appointed club captain:

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* B. V. D. Zweth
* A. E. Brice
* A. T. Porter
* L. Young
* J. G. S. Coleman
* W. A. Sheffield
* J. Parsons
* R. S. Snowden
* W. R. Porter
* A. McKechnie
* W. H. Sturges
* A. E. Cooke
* E. Redman
* [[Arthur Jones (English cricketer)|A. O. Jones]]
* W. J. Foreman
* J. W. Garner
* S. Matthews
* [[Richard Russell (rugby union)|R. F. Russell]]
* J. R. Watson
* [[Percy Lawrie (rugby union)|P. W. Lawrie]]
* W. J. Allen
* [[Wavell Wakefield|W. W. Wakefield]]
* [[Harold Day (sportsman)|H. L. V. Day]]
* [[Doug Prentice|F. D. Prentice]]
* [[Harry Greenlees|H. D. Greenless]]
* [[Doug Norman|D. J. Norman]]
* [[Ralph Buckingham|R. A. Buckingham]]
* [[Bernard Gadney|B. C. Gadney]]
* [[Bobby Barr (rugby union)|R. J. Barr]]
* [[Tom Berry (rugby union)|J. T. W. Berry]]
* H. P. Jerwood
* [[Allan Towell|A. C. Towell]]
* D. Goves
* [[Bill Moore (rugby union)|W. K. T. Moore]]
* A. D. Bolesworth
* J. M. Jenkins
* [[John Elders|J. Elders]]
* T. Bleasdale
* [[Ian Swan|J. S. Swan]]
* C. G. Martin
* [[Michael Wade (rugby union)|M. R. Wade]]
* M. J. Harrison
* [[David Matthews (rugby union)|D. J. Matthews]]
* [[Graham Willars|G. G. Willars]]
* K. P. Andrews
* [[John Allen (rugby union)|J. Allen]]
* R. V. Grove
* [[Peter Wheeler (rugby union)|P. J. Wheeler]]
* R. S. Money
* [[Bob Rowell|R. E. Rowell]]
* B. P. Hall
* [[Steve Johnson (rugby player)|S. Johnson]]
* [[Ian "Dosser" Smith|I. R. Smith]]
* [[Les Cusworth|L. Cusworth]]
* [[Paul Dodge|P. W. Dodge]]
* [[John Wells (rugby union)|J. M. Wells]]
* [[Dean Richards (rugby player)|D. Richards]]
* [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|M. O. Johnson]]
* [[Neil Back|N. A. Back]]
* [[Josh Kronfeld|J. A. Kronfeld]]
* [[Martin Corry (rugby union)|M. E. Corry]]
* [[Geordan Murphy|G. E. A. Murphy]]
* [[Toby Flood|T. G. A. L. Flood]]
* [[Ed Slater|E. N. Slater]]
* [[Tom Youngs|T. N. Youngs]]
* [[Ellis Genge|E. Genge]]
* [[Hanro Liebenberg|H. Liebenberg]]
* [[Julián Montoya|J. Montoya]]
* [[Ollie Chessum|O. A. Chessum]]
{{div col end}}

===World Rugby Hall of Fame===
The following people associated with club have been inducted into the [[World Rugby Hall of Fame]].

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Tony O'Reilly]] – Inducted in 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldrugby.org/halloffame/inductees/3913 |title=Tony O'Reilly Hall of Fame profile| access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>
* [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] – Inducted in 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldrugby.org/halloffame/inductees/1564 |title=Martin Johnson Hall of Fame profile |access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>
* [[Clive Woodward]] – Inducted in 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldrugby.org/halloffame/inductees/2201 |title=Clive Woodward Hall of Fame profile |access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>
* [[Bob Dwyer]] – Inducted in 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldrugby.org/halloffame/inductees/13234 |title=Bob Dwyer Hall of Fame profile |access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>
* [[Waisale Serevi]] – Inducted in 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldrugby.org/halloffame/inductees/8041 |title=Waisale Serevi Hall of Fame profile |access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>
* [[Wavell Wakefield, 1st Baron Wakefield of Kendal|Wavell Wakefield]] – Inducted in 2015<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldrugby.org/halloffame/inductees/2115 |title=Wavell Wakefield Hall of Fame profile |access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Team of the Century and Walk of Legends===
Tigers have named two "best" teams in recent times. On 1 November 2000 to celebrate the coming [[millennium]] a panel of former Tigers players and administrators named a ''Team of the century''; whilst from October 2008 to February 2009 to celebrate the building of the then named ''Caterpillar Stand'' fans were invited to vote on a ''Walk of Legends'' in partnership with the ''[[Leicester Mercury]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/building-walk-legends/story-12058719-detail/story.html|title=Building the Walk of Legends|publisher=Leicester Mercury|date=28 October 2008|access-date=11 December 2016}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/greatest-tigers-time/story-12078183-detail/story.html|title=Who are greatest Tigers of all time?|publisher=Leicester Mercury|date=28 October 2008|access-date=12 December 2016}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

{| width="100%"
|style="vertical-align: top;" width="50%"|
{| style="font-size: 90%"
|+'''Team of the century'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/9235.php#.WE1Nwn10HVY|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220125527/http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/9235.php#.WgW2knZpHIU|archive-date=20 December 2016|title=Tigers Name Team of the Century at Glittering Evening|publisher=Leicester Tigers|date=9 November 2000|access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width: 130px; align=left" | Position
! scope="col" style="width: 50px;" | Nationality
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Player
! Tigers career
|-
|Full back || {{flag icon|SCO}} || [[Ken Scotland]] || 40 games 1961–1962 || 
|-
|Right wing || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Alastair Smallwood]] || 64 games 1920–1925 ||
|-
|Right centre || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Clive Woodward]] || 148 games 1979–1985 ||
|-
|Left centre || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Paul Dodge]] || 434 games 1975–1993 ||
|-
|Left wing || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Rory Underwood]] || 236 games 1983–1997 ||
|-
|Fly half || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Les Cusworth]] || 365 games 1978–1990
|-
|Scrum half || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Bernard Gadney]] || 170 games 1929–1939
|-
|Loosehad prop || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Bob Stirling]] || 75 games 1948–1953
|-
|Hooker || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Peter Wheeler (rugby union)|Peter Wheeler]] || 349 games 1969–1985
|-
|Tighthead prop || {{flag icon|ENG}} || ''[[Darren Garforth]]'' || 1991–
|-
|Lock || {{flag icon|ENG}} || ''[[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]]'' ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) || 1989–
|-
|Lock || {{flag icon|IRE|rugby union}} || [[George Beamish]]|| 118 games 1924–1933
|-
|Blindside flanker || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Doug Prentice]] || 239 games 1923–1931
|-
|Opendside flanker || {{flag icon|ENG}} || ''[[Neil Back]]'' || 1990–
|-
|No. 8 || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Dean Richards (rugby union)|Dean Richards]] || 314 games 1982–1997
|-
|'''Coach:''' || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Chalkie White (rugby player)|Chalkie White]]
|}
|style="vertical-align: top;" width="50%"|
{| style="font-size: 90%" align="center"
|+'''Walk of Legends'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/8036.php?_ga=1.21394744.2012670040.1478945620#.WE1fC310HVY|title=Walk of Legends approaches landmark figure|publisher=Leicester Tigers|date=19 March 2009|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220125523/http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/8036.php?_ga=1.21394744.2012670040.1478945620#.WE1fC310HVY|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width: 130px; align=left" | Position
! scope="col" style="width: 50px;" | Nationality
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Player
! Tigers career
|-
|Full back || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Dusty Hare]] || 394 games 1976–1989 || 
|-
|Right wing || {{flag icon|IRE|rugby union}} || [[John Duggan (rugby union, born 1948)|John Duggan]] || 302 games 1970–1980 ||
|-
|Right centre || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Clive Woodward]] || 148 games 1979–1985 ||
|-
|Left centre || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Paul Dodge]] || 434 games 1975–1993 ||
|-
|Left wing || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Rory Underwood]] || 236 games 1983–1997 ||
|-
|Fly half || {{flag icon|WAL}} || [[Bleddyn Jones]] || 333 games 1969–1978
|-
|Scrum half || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Austin Healey]] || 248 games 1996–2006
|-
|Loosehad prop || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Graham Rowntree]] || 398 games 1990–2007
|-
|Hooker || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Peter Wheeler (rugby union)|Peter Wheeler]] || 349 games 1969–1985
|-
|Tighthead prop || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Steve Redfern]] || 241 games 1976–1984
|-
|Lock || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]] || 362 games 1989–2005
|-
|Lock || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Matt Poole]]|| 223 games 1988–1998
|-
|Blindside flanker || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Graham Willars]] || 338 games 1959–1987
|-
|Opendside flanker || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[David Matthews (rugby union)|David Matthews]] || 502 games 1955–1974
|-
|No. 8 || {{flag icon|ENG}} || [[Dean Richards (rugby union)|Dean Richards]] || 314 games 1982–1997
|}
|}

At the time the ''Team of the Century'' was announced Garforth, Johnson and Back were still current players.

==Coaches==

===Current coaches===
Source:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/leicester-tigers-24-25-coaching-team|title=Leicester Tigers 24/25 Coaching Team|date=15 June 2024|access-date=15 June 2024|publisher=Leicester Tigers}}</ref><ref name="Squad"/>

* {{flag icon|ENG}} [[Geoff Parling]], Head coach
* {{flag icon|ENG}} [[Anthony Allen (rugby union)|Anthony Allen]], First team coach
* {{flag icon|ENG}} [[Brett Deacon]], Assistant coach
* {{flag icon|AUS}} [[Peter Hewat]], Attack coach
* {{flag icon|ENG}} [[Matt Parr (rugby union)|Matt Parr]], Head of physical performance
* {{flag icon|ENG}} [[Neil Fowkes]], Scrum coach

===Past coaches===
{{updated|29 December 2025}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!width=130|Name
!width=105|Nat.
!width=95|From
!width=95|To
!width=35|P
!width=35|W
!width=35|D
!width=35|L
!width=35|Win %
!width=175|Honours
|-
|align=left|[[Bob Dwyer]]
|align=left|{{AUS}}
|align=left|July 1996
|align=left|14 February 1998
||70||52||1||17||74.26
|align=left|<small>1997 Pilkington Cup</small>
|-
|align=left|[[Dean Richards (rugby union)|Dean Richards]]
|align=left|{{ENG}}
|align=left|22 February 1998
|align=left|2 February 2004
||210||138||6||66||65.71
|align=left|<small>1998–99 Premiership, 1999–00 Premiership, 2000–01 Premiership, 2000–01 Zurich Championship, 2000–01 Heineken Cup, 2001–02 Premiership, 2001–02 Heineken Cup</small>
|-
|align=left|[[John Wells (rugby union)|John Wells]]
|align=left|{{ENG}}
|align=left|3 February 2004
|align=left|14 May 2005
||45||31||5||9||68.88
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|[[Pat Howard]]
|align=left|{{AUS}}
|align=left|July 2005
|align=left|20 May 2007
||75||49||4||22||65.33
|align=left|<small>2006–07 Premiership, 2006–07 Anglo Welsh Cup</small>
|-
|align=left|[[Richard Cockerill]] (Caretaker)
|align=left|{{ENG}}
|align=left|July 2007
|align=left|3 November 2007
||8||5||0||3||62.50
|
|-
|align=left|[[Marcelo Loffreda]]
|align=left|{{ARG}}
|align=left|10 November 2007
|align=left|31 May 2008
||28||15||0||13||53.57
|
|-
|align=left|[[Heyneke Meyer]]
|align=left|{{RSA}}
|align=left|July 2008
|align=left|24 January 2009
||21||13||1||7||61.90
|
|-
|align=left|[[Richard Cockerill]]
|align=left|{{ENG}}
|align=left|15 February 2009
|align=left|2 January 2017
||276||178||11||87||64.49
|align=left|<small>2008–09 Premiership, 2009–10 Premiership, 2011-12 Anglo-Welsh Cup, 2012–13 Premiership</small>
|-
|align=left|[[Aaron Mauger]] (Caretaker)
|align=left|{{NZL}}
|align=left|2 January 2017
|align=left|25 March 2017
||12||7||0||5||58.33
|align=left|<small>2016-17 Anglo-Welsh Cup</small>
|-
|align=left|[[Matt O'Connor (rugby union)|Matt O'Connor]]
|align=left|{{AUS}}
|align=left|26 March 2017
|align=left|3 September 2018
||38||19||0||19||50.00
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|[[Geordan Murphy]]
|align=left|{{ru|IRE}}
|align=left|3 September 2018
|align=left|13 November 2020
||64||21||1||42||32.81
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|[[Steve Borthwick]]
|align=left|{{ENG}}
|align=left|13 November 2020
|align=left|19 December 2022
||78||53||1||24||67.94
|align=left|<small>2021–22 Premiership</small>
|-
|align=left|[[Richard Wigglesworth (rugby union)|Richard Wigglesworth]] (Caretaker)
|align=left|{{ENG}}
|align=left|19 December 2022
|align=left|14 May 2023
||16||9||0||7||56.25
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|[[Dan McKellar]]
|align=left|{{AUS}}
|align=left|1 July 2023
|align=left|22 June 2024
||30||16||0||14||53.33
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|[[Michael Cheika]]
|align=left|{{AUS}}
|align=left|27 June 2024
|align=left|15 June 2025
||31 ||18 ||1 ||12 || 58.06
|align=left|
|-
|align=left|[[Geoff Parling]]
|align=left|{{ENG}}
|align=left|16 June 2025
|align=left|
||14 ||9 ||0 ||5 ||64.28 
|align=left|
|}

==Sources==

* {{cite book|last1=Farmer|first1=Stuart|last2=Hands|first2=David|title=Tigers - Official history of Leicester Football Club|publisher=The Rugby Development Foundation|isbn=978-0-9930213-0-5|year = 2014 }}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* [http://www.theleicestertigers.com Fansite] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508164046/http://theleicestertigers.com/ |date=8 May 2021 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060628081727/http://www.tigerscast.net/ Leicester Tigers Podcasts]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060423180029/http://worldstadia.com/stadium/England/Welford%2520Road/4.php Welford Road Stadium] Information & Gallery
* [http://www.premiershiprugby.com Premiership Page]

{{Leicester Tigers}}
{{Leicester Tigers squad}}
{{English Premiership (rugby union)}}
{{European Rugby Champions Cup}}
{{Original Courage League 1 clubs}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Leicester Tigers| ]]
[[Category:Premiership Rugby teams]]
[[Category:Rugby union teams in Leicestershire]]
[[Category:Rugby clubs established in 1880]]
[[Category:1880 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Sport in Leicester]]
[[Category:Heineken Cup champions]]